Combing Machine

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a combing machine ( 1 ) having at least one combing unit (X 1 -X 16 ) for combing out fiber material (Z) supplied to the combing unit in a direction of conveyance (F), wherein the combing unit has a gripper unit ( 10 ) with a lower gripper plate ( 2 ) and an upper gripper plate ( 3 ) mounted so that it is movable relative to the lower gripper plate, and the lower gripper plate ( 2 ) has on its top side a feed trough ( 19 ) with an upstream feed area (ZF), wherein a rotatably mounted feed cylinder ( 9 ) protrudes into the feed trough, the fiber material (Z), which is connected to the feed trough, being supplied to a gripper lip ( 5 ) mounted on the front end of the lower gripper plate ( 2 ). To improve the accessibility to the top side of the lower gripper plate and the combing cylinder mounted rotatably beneath the gripper, it is provided that a rear guide area (HF) is adjacent to the feed area (ZF) to the feed trough ( 19 )—in a direction opposite the direction of conveyance (F) of the fiber material (Z)—wherein the feed area (ZF) and the rear guide area (HF) from an obtuse angle β, and the rear guide area (HF)—as seen in the direction of conveyance (F) of the fiber material (Z)—runs with a falling inclination at an angle α≧35° to a horizontal plane (E).

The invention relates to a combing machine with at least one combing unit for combing out fiber material supplied to the combing unit in a direction of conveyance according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such combing machines are known, for example, from EP 1449944 A1, where the fiber material supplied to the combing machine is supplied to a gripper unit of the respective combing unit (also referred to as a combing head). The end (fiber tuft) of the fiber material protruding out of the closed gripper unit is combed out via a combing segment of a circular comb mounted to rotate beneath the gripper unit. A fiber package is pulled off from the combed-out tuft by means of a tearing device (tearing rollers in the example shown here) and bonded to a nonwoven that has already been formed. Due to the essentially horizontal lower gripper plate of the gripper unit shown in EP'944, accessibility for maintenance work in the area of the gripper unit and for the circular comb mounted to rotate beneath the gripper unit (and/or combing cylinder) is made difficult. This circumstance is further reinforced in the case of a device that operates by the “Heilmann principle” wherein the lower gripper plate of the gripper unit is fixedly connected to the machine frame and is thus mounted immovably. Such a design is shown, for example, in the published WO 2012/097461 A1. In this embodiment the feed cylinder, the fixed comb as well as the load unit are mounted on a frame that can be pivoted upward for the upper gripper plate in order to improve accessibility to the lower stationary gripper plate. However, accessibility to the circular comb from the rear side of the combing machine (for example, for cleaning work and assembly work) of this known device is not simple. Furthermore, visual monitoring of the stream of material running within the gripper unit is not solved optimally by having the operating person pass by it.

Thus, the object of the present invention is to propose a device on a combing machine, which will eliminate the disadvantages of the known prior art and will create good accessibility to the gripper unit and thus to the combing cylinder mounted beneath the gripper unit.

This object is achieved by proposing that—as seen in the direction opposite the direction of conveyance of the fiber material—a rear guide surface is adjacent to the feed surface to the feed trough wherein the feed surface and the rear guide surface form an obtuse angle β and—as seen in the direction of conveyance of the fiber material—the rear guide surface runs with a falling inclination at an angle α≧35° with respect to a horizontal plane E.

In particular due to the corresponding design of the lower gripper plate, wherein the feed of the fiber materials takes place via a rear feed area which has a falling inclination at an angle α of ≧35° in the direction of conveyance, the accessibility to the gripper unit (abbreviated gripper) and the visual observation of the stream of material within the gripper is improved substantially by an operating person standing in front of the combing machine. At the same time, due to the proposed inclined alignment of the lower gripper plate, the accessibility to a combing cylinder (circular comb) mounted to rotate beneath the gripper from the rear side of the combing machine is improved. The angle α may preferably be between 40° and 60° .

To also improve the accessibility to the gripper in its area between the feed trough and a front gripper lip, it is also proposed that the front guide are—as seen in the direction of conveyance of the fiber material and with respect to a horizontal plane—has a falling inclination at an angle δ≧55°. This angle δ may preferably be between 60° and 80°.

For accurate fixation and easy fastening of the lower gripper plate of the gripper on the machine frame (in an embodiment according to the Heilmann principle with a stationary lower gripper plate), it is proposed that the lower gripper plate shall have at least one support surface on its lower side, which is opposite the rear guide surface, and by means of which the lower gripper plate is fastened on a beam of the combing unit.

To be able to accurately and easily adjust the distance between the gripper lip and the lower gripper plate and the enveloping circle of the combing cylinder mounted beneath the gripper, it is proposed that at least one spacer element be mounted between the support area of the lower gripper plate and the beam. Various spacer elements (marked with colors, for example) having different thickness dimensions may be used here.

Multiple spacer elements having the same thickness may also be used cumulatively with one another.

With these spacer elements, tolerances that may also exist can be compensated or the combing out and/or the comb quality can be influenced.

In addition, it is proposed that the lower gripper plate should have on its bottom side starting from its front end, a curved concave subsection which is opposite the front guide area and the feed trough. A partial area of the combing cylinder mounted beneath the gripper advantageously protrudes into this curved section. This makes it possible to design the distance between the enveloping circle of the combing segment of the combing cylinder and of the gripper lip of the lower gripper plate to be as small as possible. This distance may be between 0.3 mm and 1.0 mm. The result is that the tuft protruding out of the closed gripper in the combing operation is gripped almost completely by the combing segment of the combing cylinder.

It is advantageously also proposed that at least one guide web running in the direction of conveyance of the fiber material should be provided on the rear guide area of the lower gripper plate within the width of the fiber material supplied, this guide web dividing the fiber material supplied into at least two substreams. This ensures that the fiber material supplied from two delivery points, for example (e.g., in the form of fiber slivers) does not have a mutual negative influence before being supplied to the feed cylinder in a complete fiber material composite.

A negative influence could occur, for example, when two fiber material strands supplied from different supply sources rub against one another and can thus release boundary fibers out of the fiber composite.

For a better transfer of the fiber material from a supply source (from a can, for example) to the rear supply area of the lower gripper plate of the gripper, it is proposed that the lower gripper plate should have an insertion area which is connected to the rear feed area and forms an obtuse angle γ with it—as seen in the direction opposite the direction of conveyance of the fiber material. It is thus possible for the fiber material (as a fiber sliver, for example) to be supplied in an approximately horizontal plane of the gripper although the lower gripper plate of the gripper is aligned essentially at an angle to the horizontal.

To suppress a mutual negative influence of the material streams supplied already in the region of the insertion area, it is additionally proposed that the at least one guide web should extend into the region of the insertion area (EF). In other words at least one web protruding beyond this area is also provided on the insertion area.

For secure charging of the fiber material to the insertion area it is proposed that a pair of rollers should be mounted upstream from the insertion area for supplying the fiber material—as seen in the direction of conveyance (F) of the fiber material. By means of this pair of rollers, a rectangular cross-sectional shape which is desired for the downstream combing operation can be imparted to the respective strand of fiber material.

To guide the stream of material on both sides of the lower gripper plate up to dispensing to the feed cylinder, on the one hand, while increasing the strength of the gripper plate, on the other hand, it is additionally proposed that the lower gripper plate—as seen transversely to the direction of conveyance of the fiber material—should have one web protruding beyond the top side of the lower gripper plate in the region of its side edges, extending at least partially over the length of the feed area and the rear guide area.

The lower gripper plate can be manufactured from die-cast aluminum.

To combine the fiber material supplied from two supply stations, for example, to yield the desired width for the following processing operation, it is proposed that the opposing guide areas of the webs should run at an angle such that the inside clearance between the guide areas is steadily reduced in the direction of the feed trough over a partial area—as seen in the longitudinal direction of the webs—in their end regions directly adjacent to the feed trough. Due to the continuous constriction of the lateral guidance of the webs which is present here, as seen in the direction of conveyance of the fiber material, the fiber material is gently combined to form a predetermined width. This ensures that fiber material of a constant uniform width is supplied to the downstream feed cylinder. In order for the fiber mass to also be supplied at a constant uniform width to the downstream clamping station in the area of the front gripper lip of the lower gripper plate, it is also proposed that two guides spaced a distance apart from one another should be mounted above the front guide area. These lateral guides for the fiber material may additionally be provided with guide sections disposed at an angle to one another, by means of which the width of the fiber mass is again combined to yield a predetermined width before being clamped by the combing operation. With this combining operation, protruding boundary fibers can also be tied in.

Additional advantages of the invention will now be illustrated in greater detail and described on the basis of the following exemplary embodiments.

In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a known combing machine having multiple combing units;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of one embodiment according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view X according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged diagram according to FIG. 3 with the gripper unit designed according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged diagram according to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a top view H according to FIG. 5 of the lower gripper plate.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a combing machine 1 which is already known, wherein a longitudinal part LT extending between a drive unit A and a sliver deposit BA has a longitudinal beam 8 to which are attached a plurality of combing units X1 to X16 disposed side by side. These combing units usually have a smaller dimension than the combing heads of traditional combing machines especially since they are charged here with only two fiber edges Z, which are pulled off from cans F2 to Fx placed beneath the longitudinal beam 8.

The combing units X1 to X16 with a width C are disposed directly side by side and are bolted onto the beam 8 as shown in FIG. 8 of the publication of DE 102006026841 A1. The combing units X1 to X16 each have a housing, which is provided with corresponding bearing sites to support the drive shafts driven by the drive unit A.

Fiber slivers B found on the individual combing units are deposited on a conveyor table FB (for example, a driven conveyor belt) and are supplied to a downstream drawing mill S in a direction of conveyance D situated side by side. The fiber material which is drawn in the drawing mill S and is then combined to form a fiber sliver downstream from the drawing mill and then sent to a pair of calendaring rollers KW by means of conveyor devices (diagramed schematically). This pair of calendaring rollers transfers the fiber sliver to a downstream funnel wheel TR, by means of which the fiber sliver is deposited in the form of a loop in a can K. In this embodiment, a clearance FR is provided beneath the housings of combing units X1 to X16 at a distance FA from the floor O. This clearance provides good accessibility to the combing units.

Starting from the exemplary embodiment described in conjunction with FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment (FIG. 2-FIG. 4), which has a simple and inexpensive design and is easy to assemble is shown below.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, a longitudinal part LT of a combing machine 1 is shown, wherein the drive unit A connected laterally to this longitudinal part is indicated only schematically. Likewise, a downstream sliver deposit BA with a drawing mill unit S is indicated only schematically. These may be designed like the known embodiments (see FIG. 1).

The longitudinal part LT in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 consists of a longitudinal beam 7 which is fastened at both ends to frame elements RE by means of screws R which are indicated schematically. The longitudinal beam is at a distance FA from the bottom O. The two frame elements RE are each provided with two feet 20 which are adjustable in height and are provided on the lower sides of the frame elements. The longitudinal part is supported by means of these feet on the floor O. The longitudinal part can be balanced with respect to the properties of the floor by means of these adjustable feet.

Beneath the longitudinal beam 7 a suction channel 17 is mounted, protruding into openings 23 in the frame elements RE (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) and being attached there (not shown). Suction connections (smaller suction channels) 17 a which are disposed at a distance from one another open into the suction channel 17. These suction connections lead to the respective combing unit X1-X8, in which the components (combing residues, dirt, nits, etc.) combed out during the combing operation are sucked up by the suction connections 17 a and sent to the suction channel 17. The components that are removed by suction are sent to a central disposal system, for example, through the suction channel 17 which is connected to a vacuum source (not shown).

The concept of a “combing unit” is understood to refer to a device for combing out a fiber mass with subsequent formation of slivers of the combed-out fiber mass. As a rule, such a device consists of the following individual components such as the gripper unit, the circular comb, the fixed comb, a breakaway cylinder or a breakaway roller that cooperates with the circular comb (Heilmann principle) with a subsequent soldering device (for example, a screen drum) and a nonwoven-combining unit with formation of a sliver.

FIG. 2 shows that a plurality of frame shields RS which extend vertically upward are fastened to the longitudinal beam 7 at a distance G. As shown by the side view X in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 and the enlarged partial view of FIG. 4, the longitudinal beam 7 has a U-shaped longitudinal profile U with a bottom wall U1. In an extension of the bottom wall U1 a side wall SW, which extends vertically upward in the installed position is connected to the longitudinal profile U.

In the resulting clearance 22 between the one leg of the longitudinal profile U and the side wall W, there is a lower part of the respective frame shield RS that comes to rest on the longitudinal beam 7. In other words, the frame shield RS rests with one side on the side wall SW and with its base area GF on the longitudinal profile U. As indicated schematically (FIG. 4), boreholes 21 through which screws R pass are provided in the area of the contact by the respective frame shield RS with the longitudinal beam 7. After assembly, the threaded part (not shown) protrudes into threaded boreholes (indicated schematically) in the frame shield, so that the frame shield RS is connected fixedly to the longitudinal beam 7. The respective frame shield RS is thus positioned accurately in the desired position on the longitudinal beam.

In addition, and at a distance from the longitudinal beam 7, a transverse web QS is provided between two neighboring frame shields RS. This transverse web has a length corresponding to the distance G. The frame shields RS are mounted at a precise distance on the longitudinal beam 7 as seen in the vertical direction. As indicated schematically in FIGS. 4 and 5, the transverse webs have laterally protruding straps on their ends, with which they are in contact with the respective frame shield RS and by means of which they are attached to the side shield SE by means of fastening devices (e.g., screws) P. The side shield may be provided with corresponding stops or recesses, to be used for positioning the respective cross-web QS on the frame shield RS.

The individual side shields SE are provided with several bearing frames 14 in order to receive and support longitudinal shafts (for example, the circular comb shaft 15 or the shaft of the brusher roller 13). These longitudinal shafts are driven by drive elements which are in the drive unit A.

As shown in FIG. 5 in particular (enlarged partial view of FIG. 4), a lower gripper plate 2 of a gripper unit 10 (abbreviated “gripper”) is fastened onto each of the transverse webs QS. The lower gripper plate 2 has a support area AF on its bottom side with which it rests on an upper surface OF of the transverse web QS. The respective transverse web QS is disposed at an angle k to a horizontal plane E. To adjust the distance a between a front gripper lip 5 and the enveloping circle HK of a combing segment 29 of a combing cylinder 11 mounted rotatably beneath the gripper 10, one or more spacer plates 25 may be provided between the surface OF of the transverse web QS and the support area AF of the lower gripper plate 2. In assembly, this may take place by using adjusting gauges. The lower gripper plate is positioned accurately in its longitudinal direction (corresponding to the direction of conveyance F) on the transverse web QS by means of two cylinder pins (not shown). The recess V in the support area AF supports the positioning of the gripper plate during assembly. For fastening the lower gripper plate 2 on the transverse web QS, screws M are also provided. As shown schematically, these screws protrude through through-holes DB in the transverse web QS and into threaded boreholes GB in the lower gripper plate 2.

If spacer plates 25 are used, they must also be provided with corresponding through-holes for the screws M.

In order for the distance a between the enveloping circle HK of the combing segment 29 of the combing cylinder 11 and the gripper lip 5 of the lower gripper plate 2 to be kept as small as possible, the lower gripper plate has a curved concave subsection 35 on its lower side connected to the gripper lip 5 so that the combing cylinder 11 protrudes with its enveloping circle HK into this subsection.

On the upper side of the lower gripper plate 2 which is opposite the curved subsection 35, it (the gripper plate?) has an obliquely rising front guide area VF starting from its front gripper lip 5, a feed trough 19 being connected to the front guide area (as seen in the direction opposite the direction of conveyance F). in the installed position of the lower gripper plate 2, the front guide area VF is inclined at an angle δ≧55° to a horizontal plane E and in the direction opposite the direction of conveyance F. The angle δ may preferably be between 60° and 80°.

In order to keep the fiber material Z supplied from the feed trough 19 of the front gripper lip 5 with the desired width, lateral guides 44, 45 are mounted above the front guide area VF at a distance d (FIG. 6). These guides 44, 45 may be provided with feed areas, which run at an angle n—as seen in the direction of conveyance F—these feed areas further constricting the width of the fiber material in its passage between the guides before it reaches the clamping station in the gripper lip 5. This ensures that the fiber material Z has a uniform constant width for the subsequent combing-out operation.

A feed cylinder 9 which is rotatably mounted inside the gripper 10 and is driven incrementally by a drive (not shown) protrudes into the feed trough 19.

The fiber material Z (for example, in the form of fiber slivers) supplied to the gripper 10 via a roller pair 28 upstream from the gripper is sent to an upper feed area ZF of the lower gripper plate 2 in a first section. This feed area runs approximately horizontally and forms an obtuse angle γ with a rear guide area HF which is situated on the top side of the lower gripper plate 2 (as seen in the direction of conveyance F); the fiber material Z is guided further in the direction of the following feed trough 19 on this rear guide area HF. The rear guide area HF is disposed at a falling angle α≧35° with respect to a horizontal plane E as seen in the direction of conveyance F. This angle α may preferably be between 40° and 60°.

Between the feed trough 19 and the rear guide area HF the lower gripper plate 2 has an insertion area EF which forms an obtuse angle β with the rear feed area HF.

Due to the proposed oblique arrangement of the lower gripper plate 2, in particular the rear guide area HF, the flow of material within the gripper 10 can be monitored well visually by an operator. The accessibility to the lower gripper plate 2 is also improved to be able to carry out corresponding service jobs. At the same time, due to the proposed inclined position of the lower gripper plate 2, access from the rear side of the combing machine to the combing cylinder 11 and the brush roller 13 mounted beneath the gripper is simplified.

FIG. 6 shows a top view H (according to FIG. 5) of the lower gripper plate 2. Webs 40, 41, which extend over the feed area ZF, the rear guide area HF and partially over the insertion area EF, are provided in the respective boundary regions of the lower gripper plate 2. On the one hand, these webs 40, 41 serve to provide lateral guidance for the fiber material Z, which is moving on the top side of the lower gripper plate and is present in the form of two fiber slivers Z in the example shown here, and on the other hand, to increase the strength of the lower gripper plate 2. For example, this may be manufactured from a die-cast aluminum.

In order to combine the fiber material Z fed from two delivery stations, for example, to a desired width for the downstream processing operation, the guide areas 42, 43 of the webs 40, 41 are each provided with a surface inclined inward by an angle l in their end regions directly adjacent to the feed trough 19. This forms—as seen in the direction of conveyance F of the fiber material—a narrowing of the lateral guide by the webs 40, 41. In other words the inside distance between the guide areas 42, 43 is reduced steadily in the direction of conveyance F. Due to this continuous narrowing of the lateral guide areas 42, 43 of the webs 40, 41, the fiber material is gently combined to a predetermined width. This ensures that a fiber material with a constant width is supplied to the downstream feed cylinder.

In order for no collisions (displacement and loosening of fibers in the boundary areas) to occur between the two fiber slivers Z being supplied at least in the feed area of the fiber material Z onto the lower gripper plate 2 (i.e., above the feed area ZF), a guide web 38 which protrudes partially into the downstream rear guide area HF is mounted centrally above the feed area ZF. Therefore, the two fiber slivers Z supplied in a width c to form a closed fiber material stream takes place only in the region of the insertion area EF shortly before the fiber material is gripped by the feed cylinder 9. FIG. 6 shows threaded boreholes GB schematically, by means of which the gripper plate 2 is fastened to the transverse web QS by means of screws M.

Above the lower gripper plate 2, a pivotable frame 4 (or pivoting arms) is (are) mounted, carrying an upper gripper plate 3, which, together with the lower gripper plate 2, may form a clamping station in the region of the front gripper lip 5, as shown in the present view of FIG. 5. The frame 4 is mounted by devices (not shown) to be pivotable about an axle 6 mounted on the frame shields RS (see double arrow). In the example shown here, the fiber tuft FS protruding above the clamping station is combed out by a combing segment 29 of combing cylinder 11. The fiber tuft FS is the free end, which is supplied in the form of one or more fiber slivers Z, which are pulled out of cans KV, to the clamping station of the gripper under the influence of the feed cylinder 9. A pull-away segment 30, which cooperates with an adjustable pull-away roller 12 in pull-away of the combed-out end of the fiber tuft FS, is mounted on the opposite side of the combing segment 29. The fiber packets pulled away are then combined (bonded) on a downstream screen drum 16 and shaped into a fiber sliver B on a unit 26 (with a nonwoven hopper and calendaring rollers).

A detailed description of such a device can also be found in EP 2 350 361 A1.

The fiber sliver B formed in this way is deposited on a conveyor table FB (FIG. 4) on which it is transferred to a downstream drawing mill unit S together with additional fiber slivers situated side by side on neighboring combing units. The conveyor table FB may consist of a driven conveyor belt.

As already described, the fiber sliver of a depositing device formed on the drawing mill unit S (sliver deposit BA) is sent to a depositing device by means of which it is deposited in the form of loops in cans K.

To keep the combing cylinder 11 clean, a brush roller 13, which is mounted in bearing units integrated into the frame shields RS, is disposed beneath the combing cylinder.

To increase the strength of the longitudinal beam 7 and thus the strength of the entire longitudinal part LT, crossbars 18 are mounted within the U-shaped longitudinal section U. As seen in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal beam 7, the adjacent crossbars 18 each run at an opposite angle b to a horizontal plane, resulting in a honeycomb-type structure of the reinforcements, as seen over the length of the U profile. The individual reinforcements extend approximately over the height of the free legs of the U profile—as seen transversely to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal beam. 

1. A combing machine (1) having at least one combing unit (X1-X16) for combing out fiber material (Z) supplied to the combing unit in a direction of conveyance (F), wherein the combing unit has a gripper unit (10) with a lower gripper plate (2) and an upper gripper plate (3) mounted so that it is movable relative to the lower gripper plate, and the lower gripper plate (2) has on its top side a feed trough (19) with an upstream feed area (ZF), wherein a rotatably mounted feed cylinder (9) protrudes into the feed trough, the fiber material (Z), which is connected to the feed trough being supplied to a gripper lip (5) mounted on the front end of the lower gripper plate (2), characterized in that a rear guide area (HF) is adjacent to the feed area (ZF) to the feed trough (19)—in a direction opposite the direction of conveyance (F) of the fiber material (Z)—wherein the feed area (ZF) and the rear guide area (HF) from an obtuse angle β and the rear guide area (HF)—as seen in the direction of conveyance (F) of the fiber material (Z)—has a falling inclination at an angle α≧35° with respect to a horizontal plane (E). 2-14. (canceled) 